CAPE TOWN, March 5 (Reuters) - South Africa's hopes of
becoming one of the world's top renewable energy hubs are
dimming due to poor infrastructure and delays as cash-strapped
state utility Eskom is distracted by a scramble to keep the
lights on.

Chronic electricity shortages are one of the biggest brakes
on growth in Africa's most developed economy as regular
blackouts strangle industries from mining to manufacturing and
pile pressure on President Jacob Zuma's government.

Zuma laid out ambitious goals last month to increase power
generation capacity, including plans to boost installed
renewable energy capacity to 9,600 megawatts (MW) by 2030 from
just 1,600 MW now, out of a total capacity of 44,175 MW.

Upgraded technology and lower costs have enhanced the appeal
of clean energy in Africa, as firms such as Enel Green Power
and E.ON eye the relatively untapped region
to help offset lagging growth in mature European markets.
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